This was a tale revealed by finding the love letters of David Bickerton’s parents Don and Linda. Don, born in Liverpool in 1917, worked his way up from a packer in a factory to a career as a Civil Servant. In June 1940 he volunteered in the RNVR (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), and his war service began in the Atlantic convoys, and the hunting and sinking of the Bismarck. He moved onto Motor Launches (ML) which were anti-submarine vessels and was promoted to Commander of ML 338. 

Linda was born in Newport, Isle of Wight in 1920 and in 1941 was a WAAF working in radar. She became a Corporal in 1943. David pointed out that it was only very recently that she was awarded war medals posthumously. 

Don and Linda met in the County Hotel in Haverfordwest on 1^st July 1942. By mid-September, after only a few meetings and many letters, they grabbed a week’s leave at the Lion Hotel in Tenby. It was after this that Don travelled back to Liverpool to tell his fiancée Stephanie that it was all over. On 14^th October, Don left for Gibraltar as part of the 25^th Flotilla. His war continued in North Africa, Algiers, Malta and Sicily. Finally, to France, and a town called Port St Louis de Rhone, where a lifeboat was sent out to greet them with many of the members of the Maquis, a French Resistance Group. It was here that a Pact of Friendship was written and signed by all nine members of the Maquis group. 

Don arrived back in Liverpool on 4 July 1945, sent a telegram to Linda in Penzance and they were married there on 14^th July. Don and Linda eventually lived in a care home on the Isle of Wight, and died aged 90 and 89 respectively after a long and happy marriage. 

David has written a book about his parents including many of their letters. 

This was a wonderful talk, both moving and informative. David was a good speaker and had many photographs for us to look at. 

It was followed by the usual excellent lunch and a chance to chat to friends.